From the article: I Quit Smoking Because...
When my mom stopped smoking after 38 years of nearly two packs a day, she told me she was done, and she was. She went on to live another 25 years until she passed away at the age of 83 from an illness that was unrelated to smoking.
She taught me that not only can one change their mind and end addiction, they can go on to live a healthy smoke-free life. Her example made me want to try. She was my inspiration to stop smoking.
Did you have someone who made you believe you could quit? Someone who inspired you to stub out the last butt that marked the beginning of cessation and a whole new life? Tell us about him or her. Who Inspired You to Quit?
"Chronic Quitter"
- Reading "Tara"'s story and her calling herself a chronic quitter was the "aha" moment for me. Chronic quitter described me perfectly!!! It made me realize that I either needed to quit or shut up.......and I quit.....09-11-11!!!! Thanks Tara for sharing!!
- —Guest Kim
My Older Brother
- Mu older brother who has smoked all his life was just admitted to the hospital. He has COPD and will now have open heart surgery. He can hardly breathe. The doctors told him he had no choice but to quit smoking. When I saw that he had to quit, I decided I would do the same. My quit is in his honor.
- —MaireLinda
My Children and Grandchildren
- I have smoked for 40 of my 57 years. I am very healthy, but had to quit. My kids hate it I don't want my grand kids to see me smoke. I am also a nurse. What was I doing? Anyway, I quit the first week in Feb 2011 and have struggled but I keep smoke free daily for them.
- —suzthenurse
My Mother
- Mom died in 2000 at the age of 59. She died from smoking-related issues, and I have decided to quit smoking to honor her memory. I have smoked for over 33 years, and I am really fed up. Fed up with feeling like a "slave" to the expense, the hassle, and the aggravation of being a smoker. I last smoked two weeks ago. My wife is taking Chantix now, so she is likely on her "last pack". Together, we will do it. We WILL break the habit. I'm also looking forward to saving over $300.00 a month too!
- —Guest Anthony
My Son Inspired Me to Stop Smoking
- My son came in one morning and said to me papa, please stop smoking...it really torched me that this boy knew very well that he grew up from childhood to adulthood and always noticed my presence whenever he smells cigarettes......that's for more than twenty years....am now happy that I stopped. What a good child!
- —Guest shehu usman ali
Future Grandchildren
- My oldest son is graduating high school this year. In dealing with the emotions of him getting ready to start college and growing up, it has made me think of the children he will have some day and I WANT TO BE HERE to see his children and be called Grandma or Nanny! Not only feeling the effects of smoking for more than 30 years, my children have begged for many many years to quit this nasty habit, they tell me how I smell terrible, how my cars smell terrible! I am on day 4 and feel pretty good! I love you boys and hopefully your going to be stuck with me for many many more years! I Love you guys!
- —ciaamy
Mom and Dad
- My dear Mom battled nicotine addiction and it claimed her life (COPD) in 2003 at the very young age of sixty-eight; I quit smoking in honor of my Mom. My Dad Bill quit smoking in 1990. He was on the golf course, lit a cigarette and got a burning sensation that went from his middle chest up into his throat. He crushed his pack of cigarettes, threw them away, never smoked again and never looked back. He has been a beautiful example of living life one day at a time and gratitude is his attitude. He is my inspiration, he is my Hero!
- —howardsglen
Inspired by People I Don't Even Know
- I was inspired to quit smoking by nearly 3,000 people. They are those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic events of 9/11/2001. They died in New york, Washington and Pennsylvania and through no fault of their own. In the time it took me to really process the events...months of time, gradually, but surely, I began to realize just how fragile and precious life is and just how horrible I felt for throwing mine away for a drug. I don't know most of the names of those who lost their lives on that day, but I am grateful to each of them for showing me the way. I quit smoking less than 4 months later, determined not to throw away what was stolen from so many innocents.
- —quitwit
My Grandson
- When I quit smoking, my darling grandson was only two years old. He was the light of my life and I cringed inside at the thought of him seeing me smoking. I was determined that he would never associate me with cigarettes and I knew also that I had to set a positive example for him. That was over two and a half years ago and I've been smoke-free and so proud of it ever since!!!!!
- —northrunner
My Husband
- After my husband had been hospitalized for a second time with bronchitis in February 2002, fearing for his life, he decided to quit smoking. My husband showed me with his success with quitting, that I also could do the same, and in July 2008, I also quit smoking. I am relieved to say that my daughter presently has two smoke free parents. -Vicky
- —Avas1223
My Brother
- My brother lost his battle with lung cancer at the young age of 54...he and I started smoking together when we were kids. My quit is in his honor.
- —Bill
